Last week’s blog was about e-reading vs print reading. I wrote that e-book choices through libraries are limited because many publishers do not allow libraries to purchase or license digital copies to loan to cardholders. This limit has become a freedom to read concern for libraries.

E-books are here to stay; it is possible that in the future new books may be published only in digital format. When that happens, an e-reader, a credit card, and disposable income will be necessary to read a book unless all major publishers are willing to sell or license a title to public libraries.

Currently several major publishers refuse to sell or license e-books to public libraries. Others make them available at a very high price or impose heavy restrictions on their use. Consequently the selection of e-books available for loan is limited.

We need the help of readers to voice their concern about preserving the freedom to read. You can support this effort by contacting state and federal elected officials. Make them aware of the e-book lending challenges and encourage them to press publishers to work with libraries.

Preserving the freedom to read is worth fighting for.

Book

E-books for Libraries: Freedom to Read

freedom-to-read-poster-160

http://ebooksforlibraries.com/

Posted by Ann Rohrbaugh at 02/04/2013 08:24:22 AM |

Great post. Easy to imagine a scenario in which many "published" titles are not available in libraries; diminishing the public library's ability to provide open access to the worlds information; and undercutting the value of public libraries to their communities.Posted by: Michael ( Email ) at 2/5/2013 12:34 PM